Funerals, obituaries, deaths, Corpus Christi Caller-Times

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Friday, July 2, 1999

REYNA
Consuelo "Amelia" Reyna, 64, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 1999 with her loving family at her side. She is preceded in death by her parents Tomas and Cleotilde Tijerina. She is survived by her husband Reynaldo O. Reyna, Sr, her daughters Cleo Zuniga, Susie Reyna, Mary Lou Garza, Mary Jane Reyna, Laura Hernandez; her sons Reynaldo T. Reyna Jr., Ricky Reyna, Steve Reyna, Albert S. Reyna; her sisters Lupe T. Torres, Dora Vasquez, Celia T. Mendez, Lucrecia Longoria; and her brother, Albert Capetillo. Her survivors include twenty-two grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Visitation is scheduled at 9 AM, Friday, July 2, 1999 at Angelus Funeral Home with a Rosary at 7 PM that same evening. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM, Saturday, July 3, 1999 at Our Lady Of Guadalupe Catholic Church with interment to follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park.

BARRIENTES
Alberto "Beto" Barrientes, 75, of Corpus Christi, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 1999.
He was a WWII Army Veteran. In 1983 he retired from NAS CC after 25 years of service. He worked for Platt Career School. He received a Medical retirement from the city of Corpus Christi. Mr. Barrientes was well loved by all his children. He was a devoted, and honest man.
He is preceded in death by one son Alberto Barrientes, Jr., one daughter Alicia Fuentes Barrientes, three brothers Pete, Alonzo, and David Barrientes. and one sister Conchita Barrientes.
He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years. Mary Rosario Barrientes of Corpus Christi, four sons Johnny (Mary) Barrientes, Manuel (Norma) Barrientes, Marco (Debbie) Palacios Barrientes, Jose Victor (Jessica) Palacios Barrientes, all of Corpus Christi, seven daughters Mary Ellen (Amador Hinojosa) Guerra Barrientes, of Corpus Christi, San Juanita B. (Victor) Garza of Fort Polk, Louisiana, Maria O. "Lally" B. Palacios Maria Genoveva (Jessie Lucio) Barrientes, Alberta Guadalupe B. (Jose) Macias, Marisol R. Barrients, Rebecca "Becky" A. Barrientes all of Corpus Christi. One brother Johnny Barrientes, Two sisters Nena Hernandez both of Corpus Christi, Chelo Bejano of Houston,Texas. 28-grandchildren, 5-great grandchildren.
The family will be receiving friends Friday July 2, 1999 at the Memorial Funeral Home Holly Road from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. that same evening.
Rites of christian burial will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, July 3, 1999 at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church.
Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

DILLION
Louise Ivey Dillon, 57, passed away Wednesday June 30, 1999 at her Corpus Christi home after a long battle with lung cancer.
She was born November 6, 1941 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Daniel and Esperance Ivey. In 1959, she graduated from Mercy Academy in New Orleans. After raising her four children, she began a second career as a manager of Metro Ministries' Rainbow House for 1990 to 1998. She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and a past officer of NAMI of Corpus Christi.
She is survived by her husband, John J. Dillon, Sr. of Corpus Christi, TX; daughter, Dana L. Dillon of Corpus Christi, TX; sons, John "Joey" Dillon, Jr. (Valerie) of Edmonton, AB Canada, Paul Dillon of Corpus Christi, TX and James B. Dillon (Rose) of San Antonio, TX; three granddaughters, Andrea Dillon and Jacquelyn Dillon of Edmonton AB, Canada, and Rosemarie Dillon of San Antonio, TX; and three sisters, Lynne Ivey of Moss Point, Mississippi, Jane Kammer of Memphis, Tennessee and Karen Hatcher of Arlington, TX. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Kevin Miranne and her brother Daniel H. Ivey, Jr..
Visitation will be held from noon to 6:00 PM, Friday July 2, 1999 at Seaside Funeral Home. A rosary will be recited Friday evening at 7:00 PM in the Seaside Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Saturday July 2, 1999 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Her step-brother, Rev. John Armstrong, S.J. will officiate the service. Interment will follow in the Seaside Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Metro Ministries.

DOWNS
Maude D. Downs of Bayside died June 30, 1999, she was 89. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Bayside until it closed then attended First Baptist Church in Bayside.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years the late Ross O'Niel Downs.
Survivors include three sons, John Ross Downs of San Antonio, Orville Albert (Margaret A.) Downs of Mathis and Alvin Doyle (Jean) Downs of Port Lavaca; two sisters, Lula Derrough of Bayside and Ruth Woods of Yorktown; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren.
Funeral Service will be Saturday July 3, 1999 at 3:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Bayside.
Interment will follow at St. Marys Cemetery in Bayside.

ELKINS
HARLINGEN - Laura Kathryn Ellison Elkins, 82, passed away at her residence Tuesday, June 29, 1999. She was born on May 28, 1917 in Caldwell County, Texas and resided in Harlingen since 1989.
Mrs. Elkins grew up in Ricardo, Texas in the early 1920's. She was a graduate of Texas A&I University in 1940. She and her husband taught school together during the Depression for eight years to be able to graduate from college. Her husband joined the Navy and they moved to many areas of the country where she also taught school. After WW II they moved to Corpus Christi. There she taught school at the Oak Park Elementary School until her retirement. She was active in the PTA and a Member of WMU at the First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi. They then moved to Houston in 1970 and resided there until 1989 when they moved to Golden Palms Retirement Center in Harlingen. She was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Harlingen.
Survivors include her husband, Novis N. Elkins of Harlingen; son, Jim Elkins and his wife, Kathy of San Antonio, Texas; sister-in-law, Eugenia Ellison of Houston; daughter-in-law Carolyn Elkins of Cockeysville, Maryland; grandchildren: Peter Elkins and his wife, Allyson of Waco, Barry Elkins and his wife, Tiffany of Belton Jeffrey Elkins of Cockeysville, Maryland, Virginia Kathryn Elkins of Cockeysville, Maryland and John Elkins of Cockeysville, Maryland; niece Marky Smith and her husband, Tommy of Pasadena.
She was preceded in death by her son, Dr. Tom Elkins and by a brother, J.T. Ellison.
Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Services will be held at First Baptist Church Chapel, 3115 Shoreline Dr., Corpus Christi, Texas at 2:00 p.m. Friday July 2, 1999 with Rev. Vernon O. Elmore, THD officiating.
Interment will take place at Seaside Memorial Park in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The family would like to express their thanks to the Nursing Staff at Golden Palms Retirement Center for all their years of care given to Mrs. Elkins.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Dr. Thomas Elkins International Medical Mission Fund at Valley Baptist Church, 1401 York Rd., Lutherville, Maryland 21093

GLENN
Vivian Glenn, age 97, passed away on June 30, 1999 in Pasadena, TX after a long illness. Vivian was the owner of Glenns Flowers Shop for over 25 years. She was a member of Second Baptist Church and a member of the Texas State Florist Association.
Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, S.B. Glenn and a son, John B. Glenn.
Survivors include; son and daughter-in-law, Pat and Mary Ann Glenn of Blanco, TX; daughter-in-law, Elaine Glenn of Sulpher, LA, seven grandchildren, Bryan Wesson Glenn, Steve Glenn, Annette Coffey, Alan Glenn, Celia Mercer, Janice Kestral, and Janna Glenn and fourteen great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Memory Gardens Funeral Home from 9:00 AM till 5:00 PM on Friday, July 2, 1999. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 3, 1999 at Seaside Cemetery.

HAYS
Marguerite Alexander Hays, 89, passed away on Wednesday, June 30, 1999 at a local hospital after a long illness. Mrs. Hays was a resident of Corpus Christi for the last two years moving here from White House, Texas. She was born in Sibley, Louisiana on May 15, 1910 to Marvin Turner Alexander and Mary Emmie Morgan Alexander.
She was preceded in death by her husband, G.C. Hays, December 1996 and one son, M.W. Hays, May 1984.
Survivors include two sons, Thomas G. Hays (Peggy) of Corpus Christi and James R. Hays (Harriett) of Tyler; a daughter-in-law, Jo Anne Hays of Tyler; a brother, M.T. Alexander (Mary) of Corpus Christi; eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler, Texas Saturday July 3, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home, 1011 East First Street, Tyler, Texas 75701 (903) 597-6611.
Local arrangements are under the auspices of Cage-Mills Funeral Directors, 4901 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78411.

HOUCK
HIGHLANDS, TX - Doris Hudson Houck, 59, of Highland, Texas, formerly of Aransas Pass, Texas, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 1999 in a Baytown hospital. She was born in Aransas Pass, Texas on March 29, 1940 to Frank and Lizzie Hudson.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie Houck in 1984. She is survived by three sons, Larry Houck (Lisa) of Norfolk, Virginia, Danny Houck (Tena) of Channelview, Texas, Nolen Houck (Pam) of Baytown, Texas; three daughters, Judy Carter (Rick) of Emory, Texas, Norma Cotten (Weldon) of Highland, Texas, Laura Fife of Highlands, Texas; brother, Bobby Hudson of Aransas Pass; four sisters: Margaret Clapsaddle of Victoria, Texas, Norma Wolfford of Houston, Texas, Ruby Mannen of Austin, Texas, Mary Yardley of Baytown, Texas; 17 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, June 3, 1999 at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home Chapel, Aransas Pass with Rev. Kevin Griffin officiating.
Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery.

LONTOS
Konstantinos D. Lontos, 97, of Corpus Christi, passed away Wednesday June 30, 1999. He was born in Zizani, Messinias, Greece in 1902.
He was preceded in death by his wife Georgia.
He is survived by two sons, James K. Lontos and wife Rita, and George D. Lontos and wife Debra, both of Corpus Christi, Texas; one daughter Paraskevi Pantazopoulos; two sisters, in Greece; four grandchildren: Lillian Stievo of Corpus Christi, Georgia Butta and husband Chris of Houston, and Dean Lontos of Dallas, Texas, and Theodoros Pantazopoulos of Athens, Greece; three great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces, and step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr. Lontos came to the United States to live with his two sons after the death of his wife Georgia. He served in the army during the Balkan conflict of 1918-1920, he spoke fondly of all immigrants who have made the United Stated their home, a country which he loved even prior to his moving here. He was a gentle and kind person, always with a smile and kind words for his fellow men. He will be missed dearly by his family.
Trisagion service was held at 7:00 p.m. on July 1, 1999 at the Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted 10:00 a.m. Friday, at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church with Rev. Father Christos P. Matos officiating.
Burial will be at Seaside Memorial Park.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Dean Lontos, Michael Pefanis, Maurice Arage, Chris Butta, and George Piperis as Honorary Pallbearer.

PENA
Margaret H. Pena, 86, passed away Wednesday. She is survived by her husband, Angel Pena, two sons, Richard and Angel Pena, Jr, three granddaughters, Sally, Karen & Constance Rose; niece; Hope Hernandez. Services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, July 3, 1999 at Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in Seaside Cemetery.

POLK
Sharon Polk, 52, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 1999 at her residence. She was born January 13, 1947 to R. Gorden and Lois Wilkinson, in Port Arthur, Texas where she resided until 1955. In 1955, Sharon moved to Abadan, Iran and returned to Port Arthur in 1961. She attended Baylor University and received her B.A. from the University of Texas in Arlington in 1967. In 1969 she moved to Pottstown, Pennsylvania where she served as a teacher. In 1971, Mrs. Polk moved to Corpus Christi and worked for the FBISD as an administrator until 1991. She earned her M.S. at Corpus Christi State University and was a member of numerous local, state, and national education associations. Mrs. Polk served as the principal when Parkdale Baptist Middle School began and served on the board of Parkdale School several times. Other educational experiences include the Education Service Center and Texas A&M in Corpus Christi. Her hobbies included traveling, water sports, and music.
Mrs. Polk is survived by her husband, John Polk of Corpus Christi; her father, R.G. Wilkinson and step-mother Bea Wilkinson of Wildwood, Texas; three sisters, Freddie Woodliff and Dixie Wilkinson both of Houston, Texas and Beth (Jack) Sheridan of Grapeland, Texas; father and mother-in-law, David A. and Billie L. Polk of Corpus Christi, Texas; nine nieces and nephews; 14 great-nieces and nephews; and her much loved Dog Dillon.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday July 1, 1999 at Cage-Mills Funeral Directors Everhart Chapel with family to receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday July 2, 1999 at Parkdale Baptist Church.
Interment will be Saturday at 3:00 p.m. July 3, 1999 at Village Mills Cemetery in Kountze, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkdale School Library in Sharon's name.

STRATMANN
Austin, Texas - George Ernest Stratmann, born on April 17, 1917 passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully, on the evening of Saturday, June 26, 1999. His loved ones were with him as he announced "Lets get this show on the road", referring to the heart procedure he was to undergo.
George was a man of God, a man of family, a man of laughter, and a man of humbleness. Born April 17, 1917 on the family farm in Lavaca County, Texas, he later moved, as a young man, to Corpus Christi, Texas where he worked until his enlistment in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a powerful, patriotic representative of our county, and participated not only in the defense of the Hawaiian Islands, but in the capture of Iwo Jima. After narrowly escaping sporadic sniper fire while operating an amphibious vehicle in support of Marine Corps combat operations, he was released November 22, 1945 to come home to Texas.
It was at that time that George met his wife, the former Redonia Shelton, in Corpus Christi. Redonia and George were joined in marriage July 1, 1948. He developed a curiosity and interest for the insurance and real estate business, and ultimately chose a career in residential valuation. George was a motivated, dedicated, fast-paced business man who was continually honored and recognized for this work, and earned numerous designations including the SRA.
George was a loving father of two sons, George E. Stratmann, Jr. and Robert H. Stratmann. He was actively involved in their lives as children and adults, and always a role model and mentor. He held leadership roles as Cubmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Counselor while his sons were participants, and continued this endeavor even as his boys moved into adulthood. A long time member of the First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, he and his wife joined Highland Park Baptist upon moving to Austin, Texas in 1987, where lifelong friendships were formed and cherished. George's passion for community involvement gleamed also in his role as a Kiwanis Club member in Corpus Christi and Austin, where he is remembered as Past President, Past Lt. Governor and Lifetime Member status. George carried a deep love for travel and cultural knowledge, and thus he and Redonia were known for their time together on the road. He traveled all over the country as a lifetime member of the Airstream Travel Club, holding WBCC number 6606. Together, George and Redonia made memories and friendships which were just another beautiful place to a tapestry of happiness in their marriage. They were to celebrate 51 years together on Thursday, July 1, 1999.
George Stratmann was a nurturing, Kind, supportive, and loving father, husband, and grandfather. He will always be remembered for his big smiles, his hugs, and his big heart.
He is survived by his wife, Redonia, his son George E. Stratmann, Jr. and wife Leslie of Oceanside, California; son Robert H. Stratmann and wife Veta of Georgetown, TX, his granddaughters Nikki and Stephanie, and his grandsons Benjamin and Mathew.
Funeral services are scheduled form 2 PM on Wednesday at Highland Park Baptist Church, Austin, with internment to follow at Cook-Walden Capital Parks. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be given to Coastal Bend Youth City, P.O.B. 268, Driscoll, TX 78351 or to a charity of choice.

VILLARREAL
ORANGE GROVE, TEXAS - Maria Villarreal, 87, passed away June 30, 1999 in an Alice Hospital. Mrs. Villarreal was a homemaker, member of the Evangelical Church and resident of Orange Grove for the past 25 years. Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Guadalupe Villarreal, Sr of Orange Grove, TX, one daughter, Magdalena (Elias) Rodriguez of Hereford, TX, five sons, Matthew (Margie) Villarreal of Houston, TX, Samuel (Octaviana) Villarreal of Orange Grove, TX, Guadalupe (Norma) Villarreal, Jr of Hereford, TX, Abraham Villarreal of Alice, TX, and Danny (Erlinda) Villarreal of Alfred, TX, one sister Francisca Covio of Orange Grove, TX, and 30 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. Prayer services will be held 7:00 PM, Friday, July 2, 1999 at Nueva Jerusalem Church in Mathis. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, July 3, 1999 at the Nueva Jerusalem Church in Mathis and interment will follow in the Union Cemetery in Orange Grove, TX.

OBITUARIES